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Three of Jesus’ disciples were eye-witnesses of a spectacular event when they saw Him‘transfigured’ up on a mountain. They saw a glimpse of the Lordin all His majesty – radiant and shining like the sun. They also heard the voice of God saying: This is my Son, whom I love…listen to Him!

The gospel message of Jesus Christis not a man-made story. The Bible is not just a book. The disciples have given us their eye-witness account of life with Jesus, as guided by the Holy Spirit. We are children of the living, true Godwho brought salvation to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

There is a catchy tune called “Don’t worry, be happy” which has been recorded by quite a few musicians.

It sounds all well and good, but how realistic is it to expect us to simply not worry and be happy? Things go wrong, we have health issues, people lose their jobs, and all sorts of other things can trouble us and make us unhappy.

When Jesus said “don’t worry” He was far more realistic. He said we could trust our heavenly Father to watch over us at all times. You and I are important to Him, so He will not turn away and leave us.

Salt & Light

It also isn’t easy being salt and light in the world as Jesuscalls us to be, but that should not stop us trying. People stumbling around in darkness need the light of Jesus shining through us.

Salt preserves and gives flavour, and we too are to be the flavour of Christ in our world.

Sometimes we do this well and other times we don’t. Each and every follower of Christ, at some point, needs encouragement and forgiveness because we are less than perfect. We need to be givers of God’s grace as well as receivers. The ministry of growth groups in our congregation is just one way we have an excellent opportunity to do this.

When John the Baptistpointed Jesus out to two of his disciples, they turned and followed Him. The two disciples spent the day with Jesus, no doubt talking and listening, and at the end of it Andrew went and found his brother to tell him: we have found the Messiah! Actually, it was the Messiah who found them.

As we meet with Jesus we are called to encourage one another and to go and tell. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He takes away the very thing that separates us from God so that we can live with Him fro ever. Isn’t that worth talking about!

If you want an accurate description of an event, it pays to have an eye- witness account; someone who has seen or experienced the event first hand.

St Peter and the other apostles were just that.

They ate and drank with Jesus after He rose from the dead, so they could give an accurate account of Him as the risen Lord. Everyone who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour receives forgiveness of sins through His name.

He came into the world to give His own life for our sake.

Without Jesus we would have no hope for the future, but thank God we have a certain future! We are headed for heaven!

Successful athletes spend hours and hours in training to be at their best when competing. An athlete who doesn’t train won’t be very successful.

The same applies to God’s people.

Several times St Paul used the analogy of an athlete in training to encourage his readers in their Christian living.

To live a life worthy of the Lord, St Paul says we should bear fruit in doing good, grow in our knowledge of God, and be strengthened by His power, which in turn will give us greater endurance and patience for life.

Faith is meant to be put into practice or it becomes like an idle muscle, sagging from a lack of use.

For he has rescued us from the territory of darkness and brought us into the light the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.